About these figures: Costs and timelines on this page are indicative planning figures compiled from public free zone fee information. They have not been individually verified for this page, may be out of date, and must be confirmed with the free zone before you pay. How we source prices · How we compile data.
UAE Free Zone Cost Estimator — Calculate Your Total First Year Cost
Setting up a UAE free zone company has multiple cost components beyond the licence fee. This guide breaks down the full first-year cost for common UAE free zones so you can plan your budget accurately.
In this guide:
UAE Free Zone Full First-Year Cost Components
- Licence fee: the annual trade licence cost; the number most free zones advertise
- Registration / establishment card: one-time or first-year fee; varies by free zone; AED 1,500-5,000 typical
- Visa costs: UAE residence visa per person; AED 3,500-6,000 per visa depending on free zone and visa type
- Medical / Emirates ID: each visa holder needs medical test and Emirates ID; AED 500-800 per person
- Health insurance: mandatory for all UAE residents; AED 1,000-5,000/year per person depending on coverage and emirate
- Office or desk: some free zones include a flexi-desk; others charge separately; AED 0-15,000/year for flexi-desk
- Bank account opening: typically free but some banks charge AED 2,500-5,000 account opening fee for business accounts
IFZA (International Free Zone Authority) — First Year Cost Estimate
- Licence fee: AED 14,900 (single activity, 1 visa allocation)
- Registration: approximately AED 1,500
- 1 investor visa: approximately AED 4,500 (visa + medical + Emirates ID + health insurance)
- Flexi-desk: included in the package for most IFZA bundles
- Bank account: WIO Bank (free); commercial bank AED 0-2,500
- Total estimate for 1 person: AED 20,900-22,000
DMCC — First Year Cost Estimate
- Licence fee: AED 21,000 (FZE, 1 shareholder)
- Registration: approximately AED 2,500
- 1 investor visa: approximately AED 5,000
- Flexi desk: AED 5,000-8,000/year (DMCC does not always include desk in base licence)
- Bank account: major UAE bank; no additional fee for account opening typically
- Total estimate for 1 person: AED 33,500-36,500/year
Shams (Sharjah Media City) — First Year Cost Estimate
- Licence fee: AED 5,750 (Shams starter package)
- Registration: approximately AED 500
- 1 investor visa: approximately AED 3,800
- Flexi desk: may be included; or AED 3,000-6,000/year
- Bank account: challenging; WIO Bank may accept; some entrepreneurs use Wise or Airwallex for international payments instead
- Total estimate for 1 person: AED 10,050-16,050/year
RAKEZ — First Year Cost Estimate
- Licence fee: AED 7,500-12,000 (service or trading, 1 activity)
- Registration: approximately AED 1,000
- 1 investor visa: approximately AED 4,000
- Flexi desk: typically included or AED 3,000-5,000
- Total estimate for 1 person: AED 12,500-17,000/year
Disclosure: UAE Free Zone Compare is an independent research platform. We may receive partner commissions if you request a quote through our forms — this is disclosed on every page where it applies. Our research and recommendations are independent.